Exchange automation

The effectiveness of the approach is demonstrated on two rqjresentative NDT techniques intapretation of data acquired with an ultrasonic rail inspection system and interpretation of eddy-current data from heat exchangers in (petro-)chemical industry. The results show that it is possible to provide a high level of automation in combination with efficient operator support for highly variable NDT measurements where up to now use of automated interpretation was only limited. 

Work is being done to create uniform standards for exchange of information between analytical iastmmentation and external (host) computers, but the diversity and the competitive nature of the iastmmentation marketplace tend to impede these efforts, leading to an environment of constant change and a need for new and rewritten programs to communicate between LIMS and the automated iastmments. 

The automated amino acid analy2er depends on ion-exchange chromatography (117) and is now a routine tool for the analysis of amino acid mixtures (118). This most advanced machine can detect as Htde as 10 pmol in ninhydrin reaction analysis. One-half to two hours are required for each analysis. An analysis chart is shown in Figure 2. 

Fig. 2. Amino acid analysis by automated ion-exchange chromatography. Standard column, 4.6 mm ID x 60 mm Ninhydrin developer. Computer print out indicates retention time (RT), height and area of peaks, and the ratio of the height of an amino acid in the sample to the height of a standard amino acid.

Also important is the interplay between different sensors, controllers, automation equipment, and objects regulated by the control equipment. The requirements of pumps, fans, batteries, heat exchanger, valves, motors, etc. in standard sizes may greatly differ from the theoretical calculations. Because of this fact, the control equipment, in addition to satisfactory control, must be capable of correcting the differences between the calculated and delivered subproducts. 

O. V. Olesen and B. Poulsen, On-line fully automated deteimination of clozapine and desmethylclozapine in human semm by solid-phase extraction on exchangeable car-ti idges and liquid cliromatography using a methanol buffer mobile phase on unmodified silica , 7. Chromatogr. 622 39-46 (1993). 

Dealkalization by some form of cation exchange is relatively simple, can be completely automated, and, in view of the significant returns in fuel and treated HW savings, is almost always preferred. 

As an example, consider the separation of the creatine kinase isoenzymes, MM, MB, and BB. Mercer has used classical ion-exchange chromatography (DEAE - Sephadex - A50) for the resolution of these three isoenzymes (44) To speed up the separation and ultimately to allow an automated analysis,... 

Kasai, Y., Tanimura, T., Tamura, Z., Tanimura, T., and Ozawa, Y., Automated determination of carboxylic acids by anion-exchange chromatography with specific color reaction, Anal. Chem., 49, 655, 1977. 

Le Boucher, J., Charret, C., Coudray-Lucas, C., Giboudeau, J., and Cynober, L., Amino acid determination in biological fluids by automated ion-exchange chromatography Performance of Hitachi L-8500A, Clin. Chem., 43,1421,1997. 

Spikmans, V., Lane, S. J., Tjaden, U. R., and van der Greef, J., Automated capillary electrochromatography tandem mass spectrometry using mixed mode reversed phase ion-exchange chromatography columns, Rapid. Com-mun. Mass Spectrom., 13, 141, 1999. 

The preferred route of administration is intraperitoneal (IP) rather than IV to achieve maximum concentrations at the site of infection. Antibiotics can be administered IP intermittently as a single large dose in one exchange per day or continuously as multiple smaller doses with each exchange. Intermittent administration requires at least 6 hours of dwell time in the peritoneal cavity to allow for adequate systemic absorption and provides adequate levels to cover the 24-hour period. However, continuous administration is better suited for PD modalities that require more frequent exchanges (less than 6-hour dwell time). The reader should refer to the ISPD guidelines for dosing recommendations for IP antibiotics in CAPD and automated PD patients.49 The dose of the antibiotics should be increased by 25% for patients with residual renal function who are able to produce more than 100 mL urine output per day. 

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